Etymology Map
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Coerce

2 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means to force someone to do something

Where does the word "coerce" come from? It comes from Latin coercere, adopted directly into English (1400s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
coercere
Latin · ancient
"to restrain"
'com-' plus 'arcere', to shut up
2
Stage 2 of 2
coerce
English · 1400s
"to restrain"
came into English through Old French 'cohercier'
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Read the full story

Coerce’s story begins in Latin: coercere meant “to restrain.” 'com-' plus 'arcere', to shut up. It reached English by 1400s as coerce. Came into English through Old French 'cohercier'. Today, coerce means to force someone to do something.